Most-Important Vaccinations for your Child: Know Why and When to Give

Vaccination is very important for your child because it can help stamping out serious diseases that occur in childhood. Vaccines contain weakened or dead versions of the antigens triggers the immune system to create antibodies, which will protect you from getting diseases in the future.

Vaccinations not only keep your child healthy but also help them to get rid of diseases. So, what vaccines should be considered for your child? Here’s a list of some vaccines that protect your child against any potential life-threatening germs.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B should be given to your new-born child within days. Another shot will be given at one to two months and a third shot at 6 to 18 months. The vaccine protects against incurable and liver-infecting virus, which can be passed to a baby during childbirth. Hepatitis A, B vaccines protect your child against any serious liver diseases.

DTaP

The DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Five doses will be given to children at 2, 4, 6, 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years. DTaP may be combined with other vaccinations to reduce the number of shots required.

MMR

This vaccine protects against three viruses: measles (which leads to high fever and a body-wide rash); mumps (face pain, swelling of the salivary glands) and rubella or German measles. The first shot will be given at 12 to 15 months of age followed by four and six years.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a highly transmittable rash that many people remember from childhood. It is caused by the varicella virus. The infections can pose serious problems in adults who don’t have immunity from the vaccine. This vaccine can be given to children at 12 to 15 months and again between four to six years. The vaccine can lead to soreness at the site of the shot, fever and a mild rash.

Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib)

Haemophilus influenza type B is the bacterium that leads to meningitis, which is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain. It particularly pose threats to kids for under the age of five. Hib vaccines will be given at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age. Fever, redness and swelling are the potential side effects that may be seen due to this vaccination.

Rotavirus Vaccine

The rotavirus vaccine protects children against rotavirus, which causes diarrhea in babies and young children. The diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and Rotavirus can cause vomiting and fever in babies. Rotavirus vaccine is classified into two kinds and upon your doctor prescription, your child will be given either a two or three dose series. This vaccine should be given in between eight months and zero days.

Polio (IPV)

This vaccine will help protect children against any crippling viral disease that can result in paralysis. The IPV will be given to children at 2 months, 4 months, between 6 to 18 months and then between the 4 and 6 years.

In addition to these, there are also a number of other vaccines that help your children against getting any kind of diseases. So, make sure that your child gets all important vaccines at the right age to prevent any kind of childhood diseases.